A statewide business magazine has included four people with ties to Hall County among its 100 Most Influential Georgians of 2009.

For the 11th time, Georgia Trend magazine has offered its list of top business, political, science and educational figures whose influence has made a significant impact.

New to the list this year is Kathryn "Kit" Dunlap, 66, president and chief executive of the Greater Hall Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Metropolitan North Georgia Water Planning District.

"As head of the chamber for one of the state’s fastest growing areas, Dunlap has played a vital role in attracting and developing much of that growth," the magazine said.

Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, R-Chestnut Mountain, 42, again is on the list. The magazine pays tribute to Cagle’s business acumen and his service under the gold dome of Georgia’s Capitol.

Gainesville native Damon Evans, 39, was selected for his role as athletic director of the University of Georgia.

"When Evans took over UGA’s top athletics job in 2004, he was 34 and one of the youngest athletic directors in the country. In rabid Dawg country, he’s on the hot seat of UGA athletics, but he and UGA’s sports teams have performed well," the Georgia Trend article stated.

Another returning name is Jimmy Tallent, the 56-year-old chief executive of United Community Banks of Blairsville.

Tallent turned a small bank in Union County into the state’s third largest bank holding company.

"But even his previously steady ship was rocked by the economic tsunami that hit the U.S. financial system. United, like most banks, reported huge losses in late 2008 but has been aggressive in getting back on course," wrote the magazine.

Others named from across the state included Gov. Sonny Perdue and U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga.